Hyundai Heavy Industries receives approval from DNV GL for SkyBenchTM
Hyundai Heavy Industries, the world’s largest shipbuilder, announced today it recently received approval in principle (AIP) from DNV GL for SkyBenchTM (internationally patented and trademarked), an innovative design concept for maximizing cargo loading capacity of large containerships, the company said in its press release.
SkyBenchTM is a mobile accommodation block that is mounted on rails and can move over the span of two 13m-long container bays. The SkyBenchTM allows for additional storage as it utilizes the void space beneath the sliding block. Moreover, the safety of on-board crews is enhanced by the detachable design thanks to the buoyancy in case the ship sinks.
The 19,000 TEU containership with SkyBenchTM can extend its cargo loading capacity by 450 TEU and is expected to secure an additional 2.7 billion Korean won ($2.43 million) worth of shipping rate per year on the assumption that the containership operates 10 times per year on Europe-Asian route and charges $530 per TEU.